Cam Ward · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 1

Cam Ward or Sam Darnold?

Start Sam DarnoldSam Darnold projects 3.5 PPR points clear of Cam Ward in week 1, drawing NE — the 22nd-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 1	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Cam Ward	vs NYJ	15.4	4th · soft	14.7	264	healthy
Sam Darnold START	vs NE	18.9	22nd	12.5	167	healthy

QBs vs NYJ recently: Tyler Shough 17.1 pts (W16) · Drake Maye 32.4 pts (W17) · Mitchell Trubisky 28.9 pts (W18).

QBs vs NE recently: Lamar Jackson 4.7 pts (W16) · Brady Cook 5.2 pts (W17) · Quinn Ewers 9.4 pts (W18).

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Cam Ward carries the higher trade value — 264 against 167 (a 37% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Cam Ward gets the most. Momentum: Cam Ward -52 and Sam Darnold -41 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

Cam Ward or Matthew Stafford?Cam Ward or Baker Mayfield?Cam Ward or Tyler Shough?Sam Darnold or Tyler Shough?Sam Darnold or Fernando Mendoza?

Game logs, matchup ranks and form are the 2025 season — 2026 hasn’t kicked off. Projections, schedule and trade values are current 2026 numbers, refreshed nightly.